Driving connection for odometers.



U. H. VEEDER.

DRIVING CONNECTION FOB. ODOMETBBSA APPLICATION FILED OGT.17,1913.

1,088,853. Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

WITNESSES.

m W A TTORNEY.

cUn'rIs n. VEEDER, or narrow, CONNECTICUT.

nnrvrne coinmc'rrolv FOR onomnrrms.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

Application filed October 17, 191:. Serial no. 795,648.

of use and for other reasons which will be.

appreciated, the axle and. the axle-box of railway cars have a comparatively great relative movement both axially and radially, either when they are first assembled or after long continued use. Accordingly, it is necessary that the connections between the odometers, which are carried with the axle boxes,

and the axles should be yielding and compensate automatically for-thisrelative movement between the axle and the axle box or housing.

It is an object of this invention to provide a device of this character which shall be simple in constructiominexpensive to manufacture, easy to assemble and positive in its action whereby accurate and invariable operation of the odometer is secured under all conditions of use.

A further object is to provide such a connection which may be disposed within the housing of the axle andbetween the odometer and the axle and yet be protected from foreign particles, such as piecesof waste, etc., with .which the housing 1s usually packed, and accordingly unaffected 1n 1ts operation by the presence of such foreign particles.

These and further objects Wlll appear hereinafter, reference now being bad to the accompanying drawings for a detailed description of the invention 1n wh1ch- Figure 1 is a fragmentary view partly in section showing the end of an axle and its housing and the improved connect on between the odometer and the axle. Fig. 2 1s a view in front elevation of the odometer cap and its support. Fig. 3 is a view 1n front elevation of the spindle which constitutes the rotative connection between the axle and the odometer. Fig. 4 is a view in elevation the pin and the spindle.

of a part of the improved connection showing the spherical formation by which radial play is permitted. Fig. 5 is a detail view in end elevation of a rotative sleeve showing the aperture within which is disposed the rotative spindle. Fig. 6 is a view in longitudinal section of the same taken on the plane indicated by the line 66 of Fig. 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

It has been deemed unnecessary for a clear understanding of this invention to illustrate the axle-box and the wheel of the car to which. the invention is applied, since these parts .are of any usual type and the invention is not concerned with-their construction. It is to be understood, however, that the importance of the invention resides in the provision of compensation for the relative axial and radial movement between the axle and the axle-box. I

As shown in Fig. l, the axle a of usual form has its end inclosed b housing I) in the end of wh ch is supported an odometer 12, illustrated herein in a purely conventional manner since the character 'of the odometer is immaterial to the successful use of the'improved connection between it and the axle. In the construction of the connecting means between the odometer and the axle advantage has been taken of the fact that when an axle is turned down in the machine shop its center is countersunk, as indicated at a. In the embodiment of the present invention, a solid spindle 0 having a pyramidal or other non-circular end 0 which, in use, rests within the countersunk portion a, is disposed axially with respectto the axle and has its outer end in engagement with a rotative sleeve d which in turn supports a transverse pin d in operative connection with the odometer I) through a spindle d and gear (i (indicated by dotted lines). It is to be noted that the pin 03' permits a pivotal movement about its axis of the sleeve (Z and that the spindle d is slotted at its inner end to straddle the pin d and permit relative movement bodily between By this arrangement the effect of a universal joint is secured whereby relative displacement of the axle with respect to the spindle d is per mitted and the effective driving engagement between the two maintained. The connection between the spindle 0 and the sleeve 0? maybe made conveniently by squaring the outer end of the spindle and having this end the usual axle pass into the sleeve (Z through a correspondingly squared recess d in the end wall thereof, whereby relative movement between the spindle and the sleeve isprevented and the rotary movement of the axle is transmitted directly'to the odometer.

The odometer cap (Z is formed in the present instance as a thrust plate and has its inner face formed with a spherical recess to receive a correspondingly formed hemispherical thrust bearing e. This hemispherical thrust bearing a is in snug relationship with the end of a bearing sleeve f within which is supported the rotative sleeve connection 03, referred to above. The end of the bearing-sleeve f which engages with the thrust bearing 6 has its outer wall formed of a generally spherical outline to conform with the outline of the thrustbearing e and constitute, in effect, a sphereor hall whereby a ball and socket joint is formed. The bearing sleeve f carries on its free end, in telescopic relationship, aretaining sleeve 9 for balls h constituting a ball bearing to sup port the spindle c, as appears from the drawings.

It should be noted that the portion of the bearing sleeve f on which telescopes the retaining sleeve 9 is of reduced diameter and that the shouldered portion f of the sleeve f has its outer diameter of substantially the same diameter as that of the ball retaining sleeve g. By this construction, it becomes possible to incase both the ball retaining sleeve g and the bearing sleeve f in a single sleeve 2' having its interior diameter equal to the outside diameter of the two sleeves first referred to. The inclosing sleeve 71 has its inner end upset to form an annular flange '5' against the inner face of which bears an annular shoulder c on the spindle 0. The reverse face of this annular shoulder 0, bears against the balls it, while the spindle proper rests on theseballs and accordingly rotates freely with a minimum frictional resistance opposed.

1 It now remains to describe the socketin which bears the spherical bearing e of the thrust bearing e, by which radial movement of the axle with respect to the housing is permitted. The closing flap 6 which, as usual, is hingedly supported onthe housing b and serves to close the usual hand-hole in the end wall thereof, carries in an opening substantially opposite the end of the axle a, a. threaded annular support 7;, more commonly termed an adapter, within which may be screwed the odometer b. This supporting member 7a is formed with an annular flange is. within which rests the spherical bearing constituted by the thrust bearing 6 and the spherical portion of the bearing sleeve 7, this spherical bearing being held in position by the thrust plate 6 as pointed out before. The flanged portion of the supporting member 71 may be machined to form a spherical seat for the bearings, as may be necessary. 7

Between the supporting member is and an annular flange 2' formed on the incasing sleeve 2' is disposed a suitable spring Z serv ing to press the sleeve 2' with its kindred parts toward the axle, thus insuring engagement of the end 0 of the spindle c with the countersunk portion a. When axial movement between the bearing sleeve fend the axle a occurs it is necessary that the spindle 0 should move with its end thrust bearing sleeves i and g'. This unitary relationship of parts is secured by passing a stud m between the sleeve z' and the ball retaining sleeve g, the inner end of this stud resting in a slot f extending longitudinally of the bearing sleeve f whereby free axial movement between this sleeve and the two first named sleeves is permitted.

From the description given of the parts it is believed that the action of the improved connection will be understood although its mode of operation might advantageously be summarized briefly. Disregarding the relative radial movement between the axle and the axle housing it may be supposed that there is an extreme relative axial movement of the two. This axial movement will result in a telescoping movement of the sleeves z and 9 moving as a unitary structure and carrying the spindle 'c, with respect to the relatively fixed bearing sleeve f and the rotative sleeve (1, respectively. The spring Z will maintain the end 0 of the spindle c in engagementcwith the axle a. Disregarding now such relative axial movement between the axle a and the housing b it may be supposed that there is an extreme relative radial movement between the two. In case of such radial movement the spherical portion of the sleeve f and the spherical portion of thethrust bearing e, constituting in effect a ball, as illustrated in Fig. 4, will move freely within the corresponding spherical socket formed by the supporting member or adapter is and the thrust plate 6 Relative movement between the parts just referred. to may take place freely in any plane, as will be understood, and may comprise not only axial movement or radial movement alone, but any combination thereof. In case the axle housing I) is packed with grease and waste. as'is usual. the improved connection will be unaffected thereby since no rotating parts are exposed save the extreme end of the spindle c. This end may be comparatively smooth and so offer little resistance to foreign matter, and particularly to loose strands of waste which ordinarily have a tendency to wind themselves in the bearings of exposed elements.

Modifications of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the. accompanying drawings will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, but all of such modifications are to be deemed within the scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention 1. In combination with a relatively rotatable odometer and axle, a driving connectiontherebetween comprising a spindle in engagement with the axle, asleeve in operative engagement with the odometer, said sleeve and spindle being in telescopic relationship and relatively slidable, and means with the axle, a driving member between the spindle and the odometer and movable axially with respect to the spindle, and a relatively non-rotative casing to inclose said driving member and the greater part of the yielding driving connection between the spindle, said casing permitting free relative movement axially between the spindle and the driving connection.

3. In combination with a relatively rotatable odometer and axle, a driving connection interposed between the axle and the odometer and comprising a spindle, a sleeve in operative engagement with the odometer and adapted to receive ,the end of the spindle, the sleeve and the spindle being held against relative rotation while being movable axially with respect to each other, a relatively non-rotative casing to inclose said sleeve and the greater part of the spindle. and a spring'to hold the spindle in yielding engagement with the axle.

4.I n combination with a relatively rotatable odometer and axle and having a countersunk center, a driving connection interposed between the axle and the odometer and comprising a spindle provided with a non circular portion to engage the countersunk center and insure rotation of the spindle with the axle, a sleeve in operative en gagem'ent with the odometer and adapted to receive the free end of thespindle, the sleeve and the spindle being held against relative rotation while being freely movable axially with respect to each-other, and a spring to hold the spindle in yielding engagement with the axle.

5. In combination with a relatively rotatable odometer and'axle, a, support for the odometer spaced from the end of the axle, a

odometer and the axle and normally disposed in substantial alinement-with the axle and a ball and 'socket joint between the odometer support and the'driving connection to permit freeradial movement be tween the odometer and the axle.

6. In combination with a relatively rotatable odometer and axle, an axle housing in which the odometer is supported substantially in. axial alinement with the axle, a driving connection between the odometer and the axle including a relatively rotative spindle in yielding engagement with the axle, a relatively rotative sleeve in operative connection with the odometer, said sleeve and spindle being held against relative rotation as to each other but being freely slidable axially with respect to each other, and a ball and socket joint between the housing and said driving connection to permit free radial movement between the axle and the odometer.

7. In combination with a relatively rotatable odometer and axle, an axle housing in which the odometer is supported substantially in axial alinement with the axle, a driving connection between the odometer and the axle comprising a relatively rotative spindle in yielding engagement with the axle, a relatively rotative sleeve in operative engagement with the odometer, the

sleeve and the spindle being held against relative rotation as to each other while be ing movable axially and a relatively nonrotative bearing sleeve for said rotative sleeve, said bearing sleeve being provided' with a spherical portion to constitute with its seat a ball and socket joint to permit radialsmovement between .the axle and the housing. 7

8. In combination with a relatively rotatable odometer and axle, a driving connec' tion therebetween comprising a spindle in yielding engagement with the axle, a sleeve in operative connection with the odometer, the sleeve and the spindle being movable axially with respect to each other while be ing non-rotatable relatively, a ball bearing on which saidspindle is supported, a container for the ball bearing, an outer nonrotative sleeve inclosing said first named sleeve, the container and the greater part of 1 the spindle and constituting an end thrust bearing for the spindle and means connecting the container and said inclosing sleeve whereby both yield as a unitary structure with the spindle.

9. In combination with a relatively rotatable odometer and axle, a driving connection therebetween comprising a spindle in yielding engagement with the axle, a sleeve in operative connection with the odometer, the sleeve and the spindle being movable axially with respect to each other while being non-rotatable relatively, a ball bearing On which said spindle is supported, a container for the ball bearing, an outer non-rotative sleeve inclosing. said first named sleeve, the container and the greater part of the spindle and constituting an end thrust bearing, for the spindle, means connecting the vcontainer and said inclosing sleeve whereby both yield as a unitary structure with the spindle, and a ball and socket joint between the driving connection and the odometer support to permit free relative radial movement between the axle and the odometer.

10. In combination with a relatively rotatable odometer and axle, a housing for the axle, an odometer support secured therein in substantially axial alinement with the axle, a thrust plate secured in said odometer support and cooperating therewith to form a socket, a rotative spindle having a noncircular portion in yielding engagement with the axle, a rotative sleeve in operative connection with the odometer and provided with a non-circular aperture in its end wall to receive a correspondingly formed portion of the spindle whereby relative rotation between the twois prevented while relative axial movement is permitted, a bearing sleeve within which the rotative .sleeve is r tamer sleeve being fixed to the"1ncas1ng sleeve and movable therewith and with the spindle axially, the bearing sleeve bei provided with a spherical portion adapte to seat in said socket and form a ball and socket joint to permit free relative movement between the axle and the housing, and

a spring in operative engagement with the inclosing casing to hold the spindle in yield- "ing engagement with the axle.

This specification signed and witnessed this 15th day of October A. D., 1913.

CURTIS H. VEEDERr Signed in the presence of E. BARRIE SMITH, CHARLES G. ALLYN. 

